The annual SA Rugby Legends Winterton family weekend away took place over the weekend of September 15 – 17 with a total of 105 players and their families travelling to the Drakensberg town of Winterton for a weekend of fun family time at Tsogo Sun’s Drakensberg Sun Resort.

On Saturday September 16, the team joined coach Ian McIntosh for a rugby clinic with the youngsters of the region at the Winterton Country Club before warming up to play against the Drakensberg Rugby Club Legends team.

The first match between the Natal Legends and the Drakensberg Legends team took place 15 years ago with the likes of Gary Teichmann, Cabous van der Westhuizen, Kevin Putt, Dick Muir and Henry Honiball playing. Henry has long since hung up his playing boots but was on hand-to-hand out the match jerseys to his fellow Natal Legends.

The first half was evenly matched, finishing 24 – 15 to the Natal Legends with tries from Justin Swart, Pieter Dixon, and Neil Cole going across twice. Justin Swart and Dirkie Strydom successfully converting two of them.

At the start of the second half, the Natal Legends were quick to cross the chalk racking up four tries from former Italian International Carlo del Fava, Collegians stalwart Erik Aissing and Sharks Forwards Coach Ryan Strudwick scoring twice. Strong winds made goal kicking difficult, with only one successful conversion from former England international Mike Horak.

The Drakensberg Legends put up a good chase of the score, and added to their tally at the death, with the game finishing a respectable 46 – 32 to the Natal Legends.

The final event for the weekend, a time to catch up with friends and family in the clubhouse and, as always, the game of rugby the winner of the day.

Thanks to the Drakensberg Rugby Club for another successful event and to the Drakensberg Sun for hosting our team and their families.